[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520016,"mediaKeyId","5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2","parentId",5339481,"title","Utica council approves consent items, events, purchases, and an $8,000 microgrant; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",69,"startMs",69000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2&start=69&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2/thumbnail_69000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520016/Utica-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Utica-council-approves-consent-items-events-purchases-and-an-8000-microgrant-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520016-075cf3718b12ee9fdc6ee56726f5d750/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657119&Signature=iqgUyG3DbL2m~KSzVlqd5c1XpMdHH6HMSDXugmWAjb6pom4f75Aezly5~OS1307APf8wzYb2F8IC1S1mmYsPI9Icg~PUtyaI4B6HmHrrHAsZ9tMyiZlXZ3STCkl5qACV6i2DZXyUd-dn~cHVlG4-3P1nSFuNFYE1A3d-7Vyo1ulS8xK3w1aNb14tXEqckT4Ot16rOR14MZdpVZtHSuRbxdc3iO3JK36HvrVaTImAcQcgAK1v~vBoz1rOgmpL33ggs2NJXkB7IxxNRBiNjNBwKc9xtZMmRG7rPm2jOnGkpe533RuaMbtKV6Ac9HD3jdvn9LQY27BLy6CtMbAtQelQtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utica","date","2025-07-09T15:26:51.1Z","article","The Utica City Council took a series of routine and project-related votes on July 8. Highlights include approvals for community events, municipal equipment purchases, asset disposals, and acceptance of a small arts grant for a downtown pocket park.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Council approved all consent items by roll call (unanimous yes). Motion by Dionne; support by Torenzi.

- Utica High School homecoming parade (Sept. 19): Council approved the Utica High Student Council’s request to use downtown Utica and a road-closure plan. Motion by Dionne; support by O'Donnell. The police department confirmed it will provide routine event coverage and the school will cover police costs for the associated game.

- Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation 14th annual Glow Run (Sept. 20): Council approved the Glow Run subject to coordination with the Utica Police Department. Organizers estimated about 400 runners. Motion by Torenzi; support by Dionne.

- Downtown Christmas tree lighting and fireworks: Council approved the Dec. 13, 2025 tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks show, and separately approved a three-year contract with Ace Pyro for displays in 2025–2027 at $6,800 per year. Motions: tree lighting (motion by Torenzi; support by Weaver); Ace Pyro contract (motion by Torenzi; support by DeVrent).

- Temporary sign at 8413 Hall Road: Council approved a site-specific 3-by-8-foot banner (30 days) north of the pylon sign and east of the driveway. Motion by Mayor Calandrino; support by Torenzi. (See separate story for discussion.)

- Sale of fixed assets: Council authorized auction or scrapping of 11 DPW fixed assets that reached useful life. Motion by Torenzi; support by Backus.

- Parks vehicle purchase: Council approved the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, including Western plow and delivery, for $73,800 from Berger Chevrolet (funding: Parks Department vehicle purchase account). Motion by Torenzi; support by Weaver.

- Vehicle decals: Council approved up to $700 for vehicle decals from Cook Signs. Motion by Torenzi; support by Dionne.

- 24-inch bucket for backhoe: Council approved the purchase of a 24-inch bucket from AIS Construction Equipment for $2,700 (budgeted). Motion by Torenzi; support by DeVrent.

- Auburn Art Nook microgrant ($8,000): Council accepted an $8,000 Local Economies microgrant to fund the Auburn Art Nook project (mural, concrete pad, picnic table with umbrella, bike rack) on the parcel between Deanna’s Barber Shop and Mr. Miguel’s. Motion by Dionne; support by Weaver. The property owner signed an agreement and the mural artist has delivered a color rendering.

- Retiree spouse insurance: Council approved allowing Linda Finkel, spouse of a deceased retiree, to remain on the group retiree gap insurance (Benestar, VSP Vision and Delta Dental) with the retiree’s estate/family paying the monthly cost. Motion by Torenzi; support by Dionne.

- Closed session: Council moved to enter closed session to discuss tax-tribunal items and indicated votes would occur on assessing items as necessary. Motion by Torenzi; support by Weaver.

All recorded roll-call votes in the meeting segments reviewed were affirmative (yes) on the listed motions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-07-08 Utica City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Utica City Council on July 8 approved several community events, municipal purchases and an $8,000 microgrant, and moved into a closed session on tax-tribunal matters.","taxTitle","Utica City, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",61459,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520020,"Council approves 30-day temporary sign for Hall Road pizzeria after owner describes business struggles",376,984000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2&start=984&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6520020/Utica-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-30-day-temporary-sign-for-Hall-Road-pizzeria-after-owner-describes-business-struggles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520020-84dab210f2544998b5675004d68de37c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657119&Signature=iHlMshLw2hunws87sLKVuQVNvUK3uszwp2mTOi8~TOs2nqce0TDGQdoCNJvZqYTn2M611NNiPbKTs33dpr9CoUvN5q3c0JWtmO-OH5mKpvK90bD~c57Qizh~P0dl1RBOQTLACli~usTG5ca7eREOePiudm-2etwurETF~OwSghQj2Qa3HWEeF~lNloBV6~DQaJrbAr28eh0fEa9dQf5vYVHZoC1Eqld3H6N6X45mGiRAOOysUdoLIrNAd3ZXAHzwVxZ3r~vFFt8Msw8afUNlm8RaUwCfshzILbKKzO409ah-EO5tNQO0X-WnooclAT-HAYCdk47XReu~WANW0AaLdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utica City Council on July 8 approved a temporary sign deviation allowing a 3-by-8-foot banner at 8413 Hall Road for a 30-day period.

The petitioner, who identified himself as Nick Nicholas of the pizzeria at 8413 Hall Road, asked to place a larger temporary sign to promote a monthlong free-slice promotion and other specials. City staff told the council the Temporary Sign Ordinance limits signs to 12 square feet and 5 feet in height in the commercial district, and that the requested banner would exceed the 12-square-foot limit.

Nicholas described a decline in business since he opened in the U.S. three years ago and said he has faced staffing shortages and monthly shortfalls. “I pay every week, every month. I pay from my pocket $6,900 to $7,100 every single month,” he told the council, saying he hoped the sign would help attract customers.

Council members discussed safety and sight-line concerns and said the city enforces the sign ordinance for visual consistency and public safety. Council approved a motion by Mayor Calandrino, supported by Councilmember Torenzi, to permit the 3-by-8 banner to be placed north of the existing pylon sign and east of the driveway for 30 days. The clerk confirmed the petitioner had already filed the permit application and would complete final coordination by phone or email.

The council did not change the underlying ordinance; the approval was a limited, site-specific deviation for the period requested. City staff said the sign location would be set back from the property line and would not obstruct sight lines for traffic leaving the business parking lot.","The Utica City Council approved a 3-by-8-foot temporary banner for the pizzeria at 8413 Hall Road for 30 days, granting a size deviation from the city's temporary sign ordinance after the owner described falling sales and staffing challenges.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520026,"State Senator Michael Webber briefs Utica City Council on budget, road funding and local grants",368,100000,468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2&start=100&end=468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339481-24f88484c12dd4e49f9a515ad35267a2/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6520026/Utica-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/State-Senator-Michael-Webber-briefs-Utica-City-Council-on-budget-road-funding-and-local-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520026-47fbd7bb14c1918ef085016df0d4352e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657119&Signature=Ujm2zzrPBN3MpJGB8vtlzFioBbYGgvNNTajHqc9y95nBVW0qmmYpngv0tRVXp~sDYJmjH9MS0wSQgwxLzOY19Gh88nP2E4ZmdMOUe458JG9HStX2DhH13nnoT5RpIBj9-PhD4xMNDGErOLFCCOpSCcyiuc0~COtaEpIT0KlZ~-NiW0lJaZQxyyCQ1BSxlAaXRfQZK-pRDQVgZSrdWU9974rzCVcn8EdoDKddlDwYSU8bN7yBfvzF4R7QYwA-D8IQ-zI7peyQv5LOkkc8s4h67ZGq8~hdWBoVfk4hjMCvU8tB26aGxSsdTZJUdA99ieNElO0fQeryvFmdM~rXRE5aFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Sen. Michael Webber told the Utica City Council on July 8 that the state Legislature is still negotiating a budget and that proposed changes could increase money that flows to cities like Utica.

“We're still at odds a little bit on a budget,” Webber said, noting lawmakers have until the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 to finish the work. He said the Senate proposal would increase statutory revenue sharing by about 10% and constitutional revenue sharing by about 2%.

Webber said the House has passed a long-term road funding plan that would add roughly $3.1 billion of recurring revenue; under the House plan he cited, Utica would receive about $884,000 annually for local roads and Macomb County would see roughly $90 million in new money. He cautioned allocation formulas remain unresolved, including whether funds flow through the state’s Act 51 distribution or are directed more directly to local roads.

The senator also described ongoing work on a sound-wall funding mechanism (House Bill 4084 in the Transportation Committee) that he said would function like a yearly grant administered through MDOT and that residents along the M-59 corridor had urged him to support. He said the state House passed a public-safety and violence-prevention trust fund that could factor into budget negotiations later this year.

Locally, Webber said he and state Representative Robinson have advocated for $250,000 for new police equipment for Utica and are following up to ensure previously budgeted dollars are delivered to the city. Webber also said he and colleagues negotiated a bipartisan compromise earlier in the year on paid sick leave and the restaurant tip credit that Gov. Whitmer signed.

Webber closed by noting his role co-chairing an aerospace and defense caucus and the region’s recent selection for a new fighter squadron mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which he said would benefit Macomb County.

For more information, Webber directed residents to sign up for his e-newsletter at senatormichaelwebber.com or call his office at (517) 373-0994.","State Sen. Michael Webber told the Utica City Council on July 8 that lawmakers remain negotiating a state budget, with proposals that would raise statutory revenue sharing and create new road and public-safety funding streams; he also highlighted local funding requests and a recent bipartisan compromise on paid sick leave and tip credit rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utica council approves consent items, events, purchases, and an $8,000 microgrant; votes at a glance

Council approves 30-day temporary sign for Hall Road pizzeria after owner describes business struggles

State Senator Michael Webber briefs Utica City Council on budget, road funding and local grants